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IS 7563 (1986): Code of practice for structural design of

cut and cover concrete conduits [WRD 14: Water Conductor
Systems]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B


BharthariNtiatakam
Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen
( Reaffirmed 2000 )
 IS : 7563 - 1985

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF CUT AND COVER
CONCRETE CONDUITS

( First Revision )

Water Conductor Systems Sectional Committee, BDC 58

Chainnan
Shri P. M. Mane
39 Shivaji Co-operative Housing Society, Pune

Members Rcprcscnting
CHIEF EN~INBER Mukerian Hyde1 Project Design, Chandigarh
DIRECTOR ( Alkrnutc )
CHIEF ENQINEER (HP) Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Coimbatore
SUPERINTENDINQ ENGINEER ( Alternate )
CHIEF ENQINEEB (GENERAL) Public Works Department, Madras
CHIEB ENQINEER (IRRIGATION)
( Altcrnata )
CHIEF ENQINEER (CIVIL DESIGNS) Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI P. R. MALIKARJUNA (Alternate)
CRIBF ENGINEER Bhakra Beas Management Board, Chandigarh
SHRI SVDERBHAN KVMAR ( Altrrnate )
CHIEF ENGINEER ( IRRITATION Public Works and Electricity Department, Mysorc
SOUTH )
SUPERINTENDINO ENGINEER ( Alternatr )
SHRI C. ETTY DARWIN In personal capacity, (P. O., Muttada, Tr~vandrum)
DIRECTOR Central Soils & Materials Research Station,
New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR (HCD-I) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (HCD-I) ( Altcrnutr )
DR A. K. DUBE Central Mining Research Station Unit, Roorkee
DR J. L. JETHWA (Alternate)
DR B. PAlvT Wat;oFrseyrces Development Training Centre,

SHRI J. P. GUPTA Power House Designs, Irrigation Department,

Government of Uttar Pradesh, Roorkee
SHRI A. P. GUPTA (Alternate )
( Continued on pap 2 )
Q Copyright 1986
INDIAN STANDARDS INSTITUTION
This publication is protected under the Indian Cojyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any meaus except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
IS:7563- 1985
( Co1&uedfrom page1 )

Members Repesenting
SHRI M. v. S. IYENQAR The Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, New Delhi
SERI M. G. KHAN ( Alternote )
JOINT DIRECTOR RESEARCH (GE-II) Research Designs & Standards Organization,
Lucknow
SHRI P. N. KHAR National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd,
New Delhi
SHRI A. K. MEHTA National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd,
New Delhi
SERI S. C. BALI ( Alternate )
MEMBER (CIVIL) Kerala State Electricity Board, Trivandrum
SHRI S. L. MOKIIASHI Central Water & Power Research Station, Pune
SHRI A. V. Gopalkrishna ( Alternate )
SHRI G. PANT Geological Survey of India, New Delhi
SHRI N. K. MANDWAL ( Alternate )
SHRI A. R. RAICHUR In personal capacity ( 147 Garodinagar, Bombay )
SHRI Y. RAMA KRISHNA RAO Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board,
Hyderabad
SDPERINTENDINQ ENQINEER
( DESIQN AND PLANNING ) ( Alternate )
SHRI G. V. SATEAYE Central Designs Organization, Nasik
DR H. R. SHARMA* Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi
SERI S. C. SEN Assam State Electricity Board, Gauhati
SHRI N. K. Das (Alternate)
SHRI A. K. SRIKANTIAH Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board,
Sundernagar
SHRI RANJODH SINQH ( Alternatc )
SHRI G. RAMAN, Director General, IS1 (Ex-ojicio Member)
Director ( Civ Engg )
Secretary
SHRI HEMANT KUMAR
Assistant Director ( Civ Engg ), IS1

Panel for Head Race Canals, BDC 58 : P5

Conuener
DR H. R. SRARMA Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi

Members
CHIEF ENQI~EER (CIVIL) Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board,
Hyderabad
SUPERINTENDINOEWQINEER ( D 8 P )
( Alternate )
CHIEF ENQINEER (PROJECT 6 Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Madras
CONSTRUOTION)
SUFERINTENDINQ E~QINEER
PROJECT/CIVIL (HYDE) ( Alternate )

lDr H. R. Sharmr was the Chairman for the meeting in which this standard was
finalized.
( Continued en page 19 )

2
 IS : 7563 - 1985

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF CUT AND COVER
CONCRETE CONDUITS

( First Revision )
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( First Revision ) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 31 December 1985, after the draft finalized by
the Water Conductor Systems Sectional Committee had been approved by
the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 Water conductor system sometimes takes the form of cut and cover
concrete conduits through high ground or hill slopes where the surface
canals or tunnels are not feasible. This code covers recommendations
regarding the structural design of such conduits. These recommendations
should, however, be used with caution for important structures where it
is advisable to make extensive field and laboratory investigations, if
economic conditions justify such studies.
0.2.1 The rules indicated for the design in this code are applicable for
circular conduits but may also be used for other shapes like rectangular,
D-shaped, horse shoe, etc, till further reliable criteria are available.
0.3 Guidance is provided in IS : 4880 ( Part 2 )-1976 for geometric
design of various sections usually adopted for water conductor system
and IS : 4880 (Part 3 )-I9767 for hydraulic design.
0.4 In the formulation of this standard due weightage has been given
to international co-ordination among the standards and practices
prevailing in different countries in addition to relating it to the practices
in the field in this country.
0.5 This standard was first published in 1975. This revision is based on
the experience gained in the use of this standard. The modifications
incorporated in this version mainly relate to loads due to backfill.

*Code of practice for design of tunnels conveying water: Part 2 Geometric design
( Jrrst r.mLion ) .
iCode of practice for design of tunnels conveying water: Part 3 Hydraulic design
( JFrst revision ).

3
IS:7563 -1985

0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this

standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in
accordance with IS : 2-1960*. The number of significant places retained
in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value
in this standard.

1. SCOPE

1.1 This code covers the structural design of cut and cover concrete
conduits meant for transporting water under pressure or otherwise.
The provisions of the code are applicable only to conduits installed in a
trench dug in undisturbed soil and backfilled to final grade.

2. GENERAL

2.1 The structural design of cut and cover concrete conduits is affected
by many factors, namely, type of installation, rigidity of conduit, shape
of conduit, nature of foundation, physical characteristics and degree of
compaction of fill materials.

2.2 The conduit may be designed as a two-dimensional frame with the

loads calculated on the basis of 3.1 to 3.3 for the foundation conditions
shown in Fig. 1.

2.3 Most Common Installation of Underground Conduits

2.3.1 Trench Conduit - This condition applies to a conduit installed in

a trench dug in undisturbed soil and backfilled up to top of trench
( see Fig. 1 A ).

2.3.2 Positive Prykction Conduit -This condition applies to a conduit

installed in shallow bedding with its top projecting above the surface of
natural ground and then covered with an embankment ( see Fig. 1B ).

2.3.3 Negative Projection Conduit -- This condition applies to a conduit

installed in a relatively narrow and shallow trench with its top at an
elevation below the natural ground surface and having a superimposed
fill above the top of trench ( set Fig. 1C ).

2.3.4 Sub-Ditch- An illustration of a sub-ditch is given in Fig. ID.

*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( miscd ).

4
 IS : 7563 - 1985

FINAL GRADE NATURAL GROUND

1A TRENCH CONDUIT

FINAL GRADE

COMPACTED ZONE

1B POSITIVE PROJECTION CONDUIT

FINAL GRADE
t t

1c NEGATIVE PROJECTION CONDUIT

FIG. 1 INSTALLATION CONDITIONS OF ~UNDERGROUND

CONDUITS- Confd

5
IS : 7563 - 1985

NATURAL GROUND

FILL MATERIAL

ID ILLUSTRATION OF A SUBDITCH

FIG. 1 INSTALLATION CONDITIONS OF UNDERGROUND CONDUITS

3. DESIGN LOADS

3.0 Depending upon site conditions, a cut and cover concrete conduit, in
addition to its self weight, is subjected to the forces listed below. The
structural design of the conduit shall be based on the most unfavourable
combination of all loads and effects listed below acting simultaneously:
a) Loads due to backfill,
b) Internal water pressure,
c) External water pressure,
d) Loads due to concentrations and surcharge including effects of
live load, and
e) Seismic effects.

3.X Loads Due to Backfill

3.1.1 Vertical Load - The vertical load due to backfill on rigid trench
conduits resting on natural strata shall be given by equation (1):
W = 10 Ct Y BQ . . . ...(l)
where
W = vertical load at the top of conduit in N/m;
c, = a coefficient for trench conduits to be taken from Fig. 2
for typical fill material, given by equation (2);

6
 IS :2X3-1985

Y = unit mass of fill material in kg/ms; and

Bt = width of trench at the crown level of the conduit in m.
C, = 1- e-% [ H/Bt ] tan 4
2K, tan 4 #.....(2)
where
K, = tan2 (45 - $/2 ),

c 5 angle of friction between the backfill and the natural

soil on the side of the trench,
H = difference of final grade and top of conduit, and
4 = angle of internal friction of fill material.
NOTE - If the local conditions and available equipment make it desirable to I
excavate trench with sloping sides or one which is very wide in comparison with
the size of the conduit. It is a good practice to lay the pipe in relatively narrow
subditch at the bottom of the wider trench as illustrated in Fig. 1 D.

3.1.2 Lateral Pressure - The lateral pressure diagram due to backfill

will be trapezoidaliwith pressures at any horizontal plane given by
equation (3):

P= 10rHPK,-2C~1/K7E . . . ...(3)
where
p = lateral pressure at- any horizontal?plane$n N/m,
r = unit mass:of fill material inkg/m3,
HI, = height of fill above any horizontal plane in m,
KB = Rankines ratio of active lateral pressure =Yan
(45 - 9V2),
4 == angle of internal friction of fill material in degrees, and
c = coefficient of fill material in N/m.

3.1.3 The physical characteristics of proposed fill material, that is, Y,*+
and c in most cases should be determined by laboratory tests. However,
the values given in Table 1 may be adopted for preliminary design,

3.1.4 Conduits in Sloping Sided Trenches - In case of conduits installed in

sloping sided trenches and then covered with backfill, the width of
the trench for the purpose of calculating vertical load due to backfill
shall be taken as the width at the level of the top of conduit, the
treatment otherwise being the same as for vertical sided trenches.

7
IS : 7563 - 1985

3.0 -

2.6 -

2.6 -

I 2-b -

I 2.2 -

0' 2*0-

1.~6-

l-6 -

1.b -

1.2 -

1.5

1.0

w 0.5
v

c
0.25 0.5 0.75 1~0 1.25 5

H/Bt -
FIG. 2 COEFFICIENT CT FOR TRENCH CONDITIONS

8
 IS : 7563 - 1985

TABLE 1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FILL MATERIALS

(Claurr 3.1.3 )

SL FELL MATERIAL UNIT MASS IN kg/m3 ANGLE OB

NO. r INTERNAL
c------- h--l----~ FRICTION (4)
Dry Natural Submer- IN DEQREES
Drained ged

(I) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

i) Clay, soft 950-l 500 1 600-l 900 550-900 About 10
ii) Clay, compact 1500- 1850 1900-2 150 200-I 100 20-25
iii) Cinders 650-720 1100-l 200 1 600 30-45
iv) Gravels, well graded 1700- 1900 1850-2 150 1050-l 200 40-50
v) Silt compact 1350-l 700 1850-2 100 800-l 050 25-40
vi) Sand 1450-l 700 1700-l 900 900-l 050 25-40
vii) Sand-clay compact 1850-2 100 2 100-2 250 1100-l 300 40-50

NOTE - Because of the uncertainity of and difficulty in determining the cohesion

the disturbed and manipulated soil which usually contributes the backfill, the
reduction in value ofp due to the second term in equation (3) may be neglected.

3.1.5 Analyst - The pressure and stresses on conduits may also be

determined, if necessary, by detailed analysis using finite element
techniques which takes into account the soil characteristics and conduit
flexibilities.

3.2 Internal Water Pressure - The conduit shall be designed for

internal water pressure to which it is subjected to.

3.3 External Water Pressure

3.3.1 Vertical Load - The total vertical load due to backfill, in cases
where water surcharge is a possibility, shall be taken equal to the vertical
load as computed in 3.1 using submerged unit weight of the fill material
plus the weight of the projected volume of water above the top of conduit
(see Fig. 3).

3.3.2 Lateral Pressure -The total horizontal unit pressure, in addition

to the lateral pressure, as calculated in 3.1 using submerged unit mass of
the fill material shall include the full hydrostatic pressure due to the
water surcharge ( see Fig. 3 ).

3.3.3 Uplift - The conduit shall be checked for safety against uplift.
Minimum factor of safety against uplift shall be I.1 under the empty
conduit conditions.

9
 IS : 7563 - 1985

3-4 Loads Due to Concentrations and Surcharge

3.4.1 Dispersion of Concentrated Point Loads

3.4.1.1 Single concentration - The vertical pressure transmitted to an

underground conduit due to a single concentrated load at the surface of
the fill shall be compnted by equations (4) and (5):

(5)

where
W, = unit vertical pressure at the top of conduit due to a
concentrated load in N/m,

P = concentrated load applied at the surface of fill in N,

H = height of-fill above the top of conduit in m,

Hs = slant height of the top of conduit in m from the point of

application of concentrated load and to be given by
equation (5))

X = the projection of the slant height in m in X-direction

( see Fig. 4 ), and

Y= the projection of the slant height in m in Y-direction

( JCGFig. 4 ).

3.4.1.2 Multiple concentrations - In case of multiple concentrations,

such as combination of wheel loads, the effects shall be computed
separately for each load and superimposed to get the combined effect.

3.4.1.3 In case the single concentrated load is directly above the

conduit, the total load per metre run of the conduit shall be computed
by equation (6):

P ye = 4 c, P . . . ...(6)

where

PVC = total vertical load on the top of the conduit in N/m due
to superimposed concentrated load;

11
IS : 7563 - 1985

C, = the influence coefficient to be read from Table 2

corresponding to A = 4 , B = 4 and the height of fill

H in m above the top of conduit;

P = the concentrated load in N; and

B, = outside width of conduit in m.

FIG. 4 DIAGRAM OF SURFACE LOAD TO UNDERGROUNDCONDUIT

3.4.2 Dispersion of Distributed Surcharge

3.4.2.1 The distributed surcharges of considerable extent shall be

assumed to continue downwards indefinitely with undiminishing force
and may be treated as additional fill of equivalent weight.

12
IS : 7563 - 1985

3.4.2.2 In case of a long transverse load or having concentration on

a moderately sized area, the loaded area shall be subdivided into unit
squares anddthe load on each square treated as a separate concentration.

3.4.2.3 Total vertical load due to superimposed distributed loads of jiintc

extent - If the superimposed load of Pa N/ms is uniformly spread over an
area of 2 A x 2 Bon the top surface directly above the conduit, divide
the area into four parts each equal to A x B and find the influence
coefficient from Table 2. The vertical load on the top of the conduit
per metre run shall be computed by equation (7).

P vd = 4 C, Pd B,

where
PVa = total vertical load on top of conduit in N/m due to
superimposed distributed load;

Cs = the influence co-efficient to be read from Table 2

corresponding to A = -$, B = 4 and the height of fill

H in m above top of conduit;

Pd = distribution load in N/m; and

BC = outside width of conduit in m.

3.4.3 Efect on Lateral Pressure - The effect of concentrated loads and

surcharge on the lateral pressure due to backfill on the conduit shall be
computed as under:

4 Determine the unit vertical pressure as discussed in 3.4.1 and

3.4.2,

b) Convert this vertical pressure into an equivalent height, and

4 Increase HP in equation (3) by the amount of equivalent

backfill height as calculated in (b).

3.4.4 Impact Factors - In order to account for the impact effect of the
moving loads, the values calculated in 3, 3.4.1, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 shall be
multiplied by an impact factor for highways I given by the following
relation:
I= 1 + 0-3/H

where
H = the height of fill in m above the top of conduit.

14
 IS : 7563 - 1985

4. SEISMIC EFFECTS

4.1 General - The underground conduits should not Abe cast directly
against rock or any rock ridge within the soil, but shall be provided with
at least half metre-excavation filled with soil or aggregate backfill to
prevent discontinuities during seismic activity. This would, however,
need further study in case of important structures.

4.2 Curvature Requirements

4.2.1 Curvature Distortion - The underground conduits shall be

designed to conform to ground curvature imposed by seismic waves in
soils. The combined maximum strain E resulting from an oblique wave
shall be taken as:

EE--- 5.2 A . . . ...(S)

L
where
A = amplitude in cm corresponding to wavelength L to be
obtained from Table 3. Table 3 gives horizontal
amplitude. For vertical amplitudes use two-thirds of
these values, and
L = critical wavelength in m, taken as 6 times the maximum
width of structure in the plane of bending.

4.2.1.1 The values of A not covered in Table 3 may be computed .

from equation (9):
A = CLn . . . ...(9)

The values of constants C and n are as under:

Soft Soil Firm Soil

c 277.8 x lo- 3056 x IO-

n 1.86 I.95

4.2.1.2 If E from equation (8) is less than 1 x 10-4, the distortion

shall be assumed elastic and no special provision need be made.

4.2.1.3 If E calculated from equation (8) exceeds 1 x IO-*, the

structure shall be articulated with transverse joints designed to absorb
the calculated strain rate multiplied by the spacing of the joints.

4.2.1.4 Except for very unusual structures or soils, curvature

distortion shall be well within the elastic range.

15
IS : 7563 - 1985

TABLE 3 WAVE AMPLITUDE

( Clause 4.2.1 )
SL WAKE AMPLITUDEA, cm
No. LESGTR _-...__--_h--- _----7

L, m Soft Soil Firm Soil

(1) (2) (3) (4)

9 10 202 x 10-4 27 x 1O-4
ii) 20 73.1 x 10-a 105 x 10-k
iii) 30 155.0 x 10-4 231 x lo-
iv) 40 266.5 x 1O-4 40.6 x lo-
v) 50 4015 x 10-k 627 x lo-
vi) 60 562.5 x 1O-4 90.2 x lo-

4.2.2 Shearing Distortion

4.2.2.1 The underground conduits shall be designed for racking as
the structure should conform to the shearing of the soil due to
earthquake. The magnitude of this distortion (see Fig. 5 ) shall be
determined from equation (10) :
H
0 = O-76 v2 . . . . ..(lO)

where
B = the angle of shearing distortion in radians,
H = the depth of overburden in m ( Fig. 5 ), and
V = average velocity of propagation of the design earthquake
wave through the overburden. The values given in
Table 4 are recommended for design purposes.
-NATURAL GROUNO
/

FIG. 5 SHEARING DISTORTION OF GROUND

16
 IS:7563-1985

TABLE 4 VELOCITY OF PROPAGATION OF EARTHQUAKE WAVES

( Claus 4.2.2.1 )

SOIL VBLOCITY
N",". CLASSIFICATION 4s
(1) (2) (3)
9 Compact granular soil 300
ii) Silty sand 150
iii) Medium clay 60
iv) Soft clay 30

4.2.2.2 For layer soils 0 shall be taken as the greater of the values
computed for: (a) the layer encompassing the structure, considered by
itself; and (b) the entire overburden thickness, using the average V for all
soil layers.

4.2.2.3 Elastic distortion capacity-The capacity of a continuous

framed structure to absorb racking distortion within the elastic range is
the rotation capacity of the most rigid exterior corner joint and shall be
computed using equation (11):

. . . ...(n)

where
CC= elastic rotation capacity of the ,joint in radians,

Lf = clear length of floor slab between points of bending

restraints,
tf = structural thickness of floor slab,

L, = clear length of wall slab between points of bending

restraints, and

fw = structural thickness of wall slab.

4.2.2.4 If the elastic rotation capacity J. of the most rigid corner

joint exceeds the imposed shearing distortion 0, no further provisions
need be made.

4.2.2.5 The imposed shearing distortion in competent soils is generally

less than 2 x 10-3. If the thickness of the exterior floor and wall slabs is
kept less than one-fifth their clear span, the shearing distortion
requirement is satisfied.

17
IS : 7563 -1985

4.3 Earth Pressures

4.3.1 In case the underground conduits, located in seismic zones

are designed for at-rest earth pressures, no increase in pressure during
or subsequent to an earthquake need be considered.

4.3.2 In case these structures are designed for active earth pressures
based on 3.1.2, these should be checked for at-rest pressures allowing
one-third increase in unit stresses ( for calculation of earth pressures in
earthquake zones, see IS : 1893-1984* ).

5. PERMISSIBLE STRESSES

5.1 The permissible stresses in concrete and steel reinforcement shall

conform to IS : 456-1978t.

5.2 The crack width in concrete face shall normally be restricted

to 0.2 mm.

*Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures ( Uzirdrcvi&m).

tCode of practice for plain and reinforced concrete ( secondr&ion ).

18
 IS:7563 -1985
( Continuedfrom page 2 )

Members Representing

CHIEF ENQINEER Irrigation Works, Government of Punjab,

Chandigarh
DIRECTOR (CANALS) ( Alternate )
SARI 0. P. DATTA Bhakra Beas Management Board, Chandigarh
SH~I N. L. Goxn ( Alternate )
SXRI NARENDRA SIN~H Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
SHRI N. N. SINQHAL ( Altcrnute )
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER (PH) Central Design Organization (Irrigation Depart-
ment), Government of Maharashtra, Nasik
EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (PH) ( Alfemale)
SHRI G. D. TYAQI National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd,
New Delhi

19
INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS ( SI UNITS)

Baoe Unlto
QUANTITY UNIT SYadBOL

Length metre m

Mass kilogram h
Time second s
Electric current ampere A
Thermodynamic kelvin K
temperature
Luminous intensity candela cd
Amount of substance mole moi

Eupplementaq Units
QUANTITY UNIT SYMBOL

Plane angle radian rad

Solid angle steradian sr

Derived Units
QUANTlrY UNIT SYMBOL DXOFINITION

Force newton 1 N -1 kg.m/ss

Energy
Power
joule
watt
J
w
1J
1W -lJ/s
=1 N.m

FlllX weber Wb 1 Wb- 1V.s

Flux density tesla T 1T -lWb/m*
Frequency hertz HZ 1 Hx - 1 c/s (s-1:
Electric conductance 4emenr S 1s = 1 A/V
Electromotive force volt V 1 V - 1 W/A
Pressure, stress Pascal Ps 1 Pa - 1 N/m